Consultation has begun over plans to add a bus lane on a key route into Reading.
Wokingham Borough Council has begun a five-week public engagement over proposals to implement bus priority measures on the A4 London Road at the Sutton Seeds roundabout, east of Reading.
Reading and Wokingham borough councils have been working on the plans which cross the boundary of the two local authority areas.
On the Reading side of the roundabout, an inbound bus lane was introduced in August 2024, part of a £26 million scheme of Government-funded works.
Now, as a result of the joint working, Wokingham plans:
- An additional inbound bus lane on the A4 London Road approaching Sutton Seeds roundabout
- To keep two general traffic lanes alongside the new bus lane by narrowing the central reservation
- To convert a hatched area on the roundabout to extend the bus lane towards Reading
- To add road markings and traffic lights, with changed configuration, to help manage and improve traffic flow
If, after consultation, those measures are completed, then Reading will make changes to its bus lane by creating a right-turn-only lane opposite Liverpool Road.
Cllr Adrian Betteridge, Wokingham Borough Council executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said:
“These improvements are designed to make everyday journeys better for everyone travelling into Reading. By giving buses dedicated space without reducing capacity for other road users, we can help cut delays where congestion often builds. We want residents, commuters and local businesses to tell us what they think, so I’d encourage everyone to take a few minutes to complete the survey.”
Cllr John Ennis, Reading Borough Council lead councillor for climate strategy and transport, said: “When the London Road bus lane was introduced in east Reading back in 2024 the council was very clear it would closely monitor the scheme and review any issues that arose.
“While Wokingham Borough Council was not able to secure the funding to complete the full scheme at the time, I am pleased that we have subsequently been able to work closely with colleagues in Wokingham borough on a package of measures that should improve traffic flow and journey times for both buses and general traffic. It will also benefit motorists using Liverpool Road to access areas of New Town.
“Our aim has always been to improve the reliability of public transport on what is a key commuter route into Reading and the additional bus lanes on the Wokingham side will help enable that and reduce congestion which can build up on Sutton Seeds roundabout as traffic filters into east Reading.
“It is also important to emphasise that these proposals would be implemented without the removal of any capacity for general traffic.”
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